In a few days time I’m heading over to Malaga to run a training camp for Ironman athletes. Now a good training camp should be an opportunity to complete a great block of training. It can also be a springboard to some strong early season results. However, more often than not a training camp can result in the exact opposite.
I can remember one of the the very first training camps I attended in Lanzarote in 1992. After 2 weeks training everyone was suntanned and itching to start racing. Unfortunately at least half of the campers trained so hard on the camp that they got ill when they got home and never made the first big race. Wasn’t that a successful camp?
In order to make sure that your next triathlon training camp has positive impact on your fitness here are 3 massive errors to avoid:
- Too much too soon – Even on a 7 day camp but particularly on 14 day trips it is very important to pace the training volume. Of course you can manage more than when you are at home because you get more quality recovery time, but this doesnt mean that you have to go mad in the first few days. You can avoid this by planning out the training in advance of your trip and then sticking to it when you get to the venue. This is even more important when other athletes are involved (See #2) Try to agree in advance what will happen on each day and remember to include an easy/moderate day for every 2-3 harder days.
- It’s not a competition – the reason training camps go wrong is that for many athletes it becomes a chance for them to prove how fit they are. There is nothing wrong with healthy competition, at the right time, but a camp is the opportunity to advance your fitness not post bragging rights. Wait until the big races to see who is the fittest. If you must have competition then arrange a couple of workouts when you do this but remember: There are no world champions crowned in the off season!
- Think of the BIG PICTURE – Your training camp is a key event but it is still part of your overall training programme. There will usually be several weeks or months of hard training to go after you return home so finishing the camp exhausted will probably result in you missing some valuable training time and taking a step back in your fitness level. Instead have specific goals for the camp and arrive home ready to move up to the next level.
OK I know there are a lot more “training camp pot holes” but these are my BIG 3. Stay clear of them and hopefully you’ll have a good time and come back in great shape.
